as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of quintessential
But at the 30-room Casa Cody, California’s quintessential old-world aesthetic is on full display.
—
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Farmer kept those same trappings of a quintessential New England summer percolating in the back of her mind while house hunting with a longtime client and friend, a Harvard professor who was looking for a vacation home on the island.
—Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
With their golden yellow rays surrounding a dark cone, Rudbeckias are quintessential summer blooms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
Instantly recognizable by its bright yellow-and-red tent, The Barking Crab offers quintessential New England charm.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Christina Pérez, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Farmer kept those same trappings of a quintessential New England summer percolating in the back of her mind while house hunting with a longtime client and friend, a Harvard professor who was looking for a vacation home on the island.
—Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
With their golden yellow rays surrounding a dark cone, Rudbeckias are quintessential summer blooms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
Instantly recognizable by its bright yellow-and-red tent, The Barking Crab offers quintessential New England charm.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
Adjective
-
Whatever your summer itinerary, a striped button-down shirt is one of those classic staples that deserves a spot in your closet.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
The aesthetic feels classic Four Seasons—comfortable rather than trendy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
My son’s friend is an exemplary young man, polite and respectful in all ways except one.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
My son’s friend is an exemplary young man — polite and respectful in all ways except one.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Premium Back Massager Practical, sleek, and top of the line, this back massager is perfect for at-home spa days.—
Maeve Dunigan,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
The conditions were perfect for airlines to raise fares – bad news for bargain-seeking travelers.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Instead of contradicting Austen’s depictions, the series adds context and interiority, giving Mary a growth arc that highlights her similarities to the author’s archetypal heroines.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 May 2026
-
Kelli Reynolds is a script supervisor for Inspiration, the language learning model that has copyrighted not just archetypal characters, but all tropes and plot beats, so that no human can access or create new stories.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
And talks between Washington and Tehran have failed to reach a diplomatic agreement to bring a definitive end to the conflict.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Deuce gave a definitive answer in Game 4, making the Knicks even more dangerous in the Eastern Conference finals.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Conversations around excellent kebabs in Southern California tend to begin with the Martirosyan family and their Mini Kabob in Glendale.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The lighting, art design and score are all excellent – and the single shot construction gives the film a dreamy, meditative quality.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
